Risk Assessments & Safeguarding What about risk assessments and safeguarding? Expand A copy of our schools visitor's risk assessment will be sent to you with your booking confirmation - or alternatively, download one here. To complete your own risk assessment, please contact the education team to arrange a convenient date. The Royal Gunpowder Mills has a dedicated First Aid room and all of the teaching team are trained in first aid. A copy of our safeguarding policy is available upon request.
Cancellations What if I need to cancel my booking? Expand Should you need to cancel your booking, please do so within 14 working days of your visit - should you cancel within 10 working days of your visit you will be charged the full amount (although if we are able to replace your booking with another school's visit we may be able to waiver the charge).
Teacher Expectations What will our school teachers and adult helpers be expected to do during our visit? Expand Teachers and adult helpers are expected to stay with their group and experience the sessions alongside their pupils. The teaching team here will assume responsibility for the session and we hope that the school staff will use the opportunity to evaluate and observe the children's progress. The school teachers will of course be responsible for pupils in their group at all times. Our education staff are there to lead activities and to make the day run smoothly. Teachers will be given an evaluation at the end of the day.
Equipment Do we need to bring anything with us? Expand In short, the answer is "no" - clipboards, pens/pencils etc. are not needed. However, all attendees will need to bring their lunch and drinks with them and you need to ensure in colder weather that all attendees dress appropriately (although each teaching base has heating, our buildings are very old!) Although we have an on-site first aid room, you may wish to bring your own kit with you.
Programme Availability Are all of the programmes available year round? Expand The following programmes are available from January through to the end of the first half of the Autumn term: Viking Life and Lore WWII on the Homefront Victorian Life Explorer Programme The following programmes are only available during the following set times: Gunpowder, Treason & Plot: 30th October - 15th November 2018 Victorian Christmas: 20th November - 7th December 2018
Goody Bags How do I order goody bags? Expand We offer set-price goody bags (£3) which must be ordered and paid for in advance. These consist of a pencil, pen, eraser and fridge magnet. Please call or email the education team to order these.
Shop & Cafe Will the shop or cafe be open during our visit? Expand No, unfortunately due to staffing issues we are unable to open the shop or the cafe during school visits. However - you can order goody bags which (once ordered and paid for in advance), will be ready for you to take with you at the end of your visit.
Directions How do we get to the Royal Gunpowder Mills? Expand We are situated in Bealieu Drive in Waltham Abbey (opposite the McDonalds) - within easy access of the M25 and the M11. We have ample free parking for cars and coaches.
First Aid Is their first aid on site? Expand Yes, there is a first aid room. In addition, all of our teaching team are first aid trained.
Lunch Where can we have lunch? Expand Please make sure all attendees bring their lunch and drinks with them as our cafe is not open during school visiting hours. Indoor and outdoor (weather permitting) lunch facilities will be available.
Parking Where can we park? Expand Coaches can park on-site (unless otherwise instructed) and can remain there for the duration of your stay, free of charge. For coaches parking on-site: got to the black gates (to the right at the end of Beaulieu Drive) and use the intercom to be allowed on site. You will be directed to a suitable parking space upon arrival. Occasionally, coaches may be instructed to park in the main car park - accessed through the gates at the top of Beaulieu Drive. However, you will be advised if this is needed. If pupils are being dropped off via parental cars, they can park in the main car park and you will be met by our teaching team and taken on site from there.
Accessibility Is the site fully accessible? Expand Yes, all of the bases used during the programmes are fully accessible - detailed instructions will be given to you on the day. We have two disabled toilets onsite.
Pre-visit Can I visit before I bring my group? Expand If you have not visited us before, you may wish to come for a free pre-visit in order to familiarise yourself with the site and to complete any additional risk assessment paperwork you may need - and to discuss your selected programme. Please call or email to arrange a convenient time with the Education team - unfortunately, we are not able to allow teachers to come without an appointment.
Timings Of The Day What time does the day begin and end? Expand The day starts at 10am when you will be greeted by our teaching team and given a brief health and safety talk. Each class will then be taken to your first 'base' where your first activity/teaching session will begin. At the end of each session, you will be taken (or given instructions) to you next teaching base. You will be shown where your group will have lunch, which normally takes place after the second session. The teaching staff aim to get you back to your coaches for a 2.30pm departure.
Adult Places Do you offer free adult places? Expand Yes, we offer 4 free adult places per class. In addition, students who require 1-2-1 support may bring their support workers for free as well.
Group Size What size groups do you cater for? Expand For the majority of our programmes, you can being 20 to 128 pupils (1 class to 4 classes) However, the 'Freshwater' option in the 'Explorer' programme has a maximum capacity of 2 classes and the 'Gunpowder, Treason and Plot' programme allows 5 classes.
Costs How much will it cost to bring my students? Expand Cost per class up to 20: £155 Cost per class up to 26: £202 Cost per class up to 32: £248 For prices for larger group sizes, please contact the education team. 4 free adults per class (£7.75 for additional adults) Please note: No VAT is charged on our school visits
Bookings How do I book a trip for my school? Expand Either by calling or emailing the education team: 01992 707 320 [email protected] You will need to provide the following information: Which course you require The year group of the students The amount of students you will be bringing A list of dates in preferential order
Learning Progress How will the learning progress be assessed during the programme? Expand Whilst the teaching team here will assume responsibility for the session, and will tailor their sessions according to the needs of each individual group of learners, we hope that the school staff will use the opportunity to evaluate and observe the learner's progress during each of the activities.